Google is reportedly working on a deal with Virgin Galactic, which would give
it access to Virgin's satellite-launch technology

Google is reportedly in talks to buy an equity stake in Sir Richard Branson’s $2 billion (£1.2bn) space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic, in a deal that would also give Google access to Virgin's satellite-launch technology.

Negotiations between the two companies have been taking place for months, and are at an 'advanced stage', according to a Sky News report. The deal would see Google spending roughly $30 million (£17.8m) in return for a 1.5 per cent stake in Virgin Galactic.

Google also plans to inject 'hundreds of millions of dollars' into a joint venture that would tie into Google's plans to launch a fleet of satellites into low-Earth orbit, to bring the internet to parts of the world that are currently unconnected.

Google announced yesterday that it was buying Skybox Imaging, which develops cheap satellites that are capable of taking high-quality photographs and videos of the Earth, for $500 million (£297m).

In April 2014, it also saw off competition from Facebook to buy Titan Aerospace, which develops solar-powered unmanned aircraft that can fly non-stop for years hundreds of metres above the ground, beaming wireless signals to the ground.

Using low-Earth orbit satellites is seen as cheaper and quicker than installing wired telecoms networks in countries with little infrastructure and sparse populations. However, Google has not yet tackled the problem of getting these satellites into space.

Virgin Galactic has developed a vehicle called LauncherOne, which is specially designed to launch 'smallsat' payloads of 100kg into Earth orbit, with launches projected to begin in 2016. Several commercial customers have already contracted for launches – including Skybox Imaging.

"A major advantage of LauncherOne is that we can stage operations from a wide variety of launch sites," Virgin Galactic states on its website. "Our system allows for a minimal amount of ground infrastructure and the minimum level of range costs for our customers."

Sky News said the terms of the deal have not yet been finalised, and could yet be altered. However, Google's £17.8 million investment could value Virgin Galactic at as much as £1.2 billion.

The deal would give Google a major boost in its race with Facebook to connect remote parts of the world to the internet. The social network has been working with experts from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab and Ames Research Center to develop its own ‘connectivity aircraft’ for the purpose.

However, it also raises the possibility of Google getting into the space tourism game. Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo rocket plane is currently undergoing testing before being allowed to take 'tourists' on short-hop trips just above the atmosphere.

Sir Richard Branson intends to run the first flights out of New Mexico before extending operations around the globe. Tickets cost $200,000 per person. Passengers who have already submitted their deposit include Stephen Hawking, Tom Hanks, Ashton Kutcher, Katy Perry, Brad Pitt, and Angelina Jolie.